Paris photos...too many options!

David_Manning

David_Manning

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I've always chuckled over threads with photographers asking for advice on which camera system or lenses to take on a trip...it's always been very obvious to me (for THEM). Well, now I'm that guy!

I have a Paris trip coming up, and it's not a photography trip...just a business (actually, airline) trip. I think I've been stumped by owning three cameras with too many options.

I've never been to Paris, and when I fantasized about going, I'd always thought I'd just take my M6 and Tri-X...just the classic setup for a classic destination of city strolling.

Well, now I have a Contax T3 that I bought especially for urban travel shooting...small, light, high image quality. And I also have my D700, which shoots phenomenal pictures at whatever you point it at, day or night, rain or shine.

So my personal quandary...for film, I'm not looking forward to souping so many rolls of film when I return, so I'm not so sure I want to do the Tri-X route. I just bought ten rolls of 100iso color slide film, and I'm eager to shoot it...but it'll be expensive to process when I return (and of course I'll still have to scan, but only the keepers). The nice thing about the chromes...I still project slides, so it can be entertaining at home.

I really like the T3's form factor...I don't want to be loaded down by camera gear while I'm walking all day...but I love the roomy VF on the M6. The M6 would necessitate carrying a bag all day too, even though it wouldn't be a giant bag. In either case, I can convert the color chromes to b&w after I scan.

And of course, the D700 has impressive capabilities, and I can go color or b&w from the RAW. I also have a 20-35 zoom for it for variety. Of course, there's the weight/size penalty. I really don't want to be slave to a gigantic SLR all day unless I have to.

So there you have it. I'm asking for opinions. Naturally, if I had an X100 it would probably fit the bill perfectly, but I don't have one...yet anyway :)
 
The M6 and Contax are film cameras and you don't want to soup TriX and the colour film is too expensive to process, and the dSLR is too big and heavy. Sorry, looks like you don't have any cameras that you are willing to take.


;)
 
On a more helpful note: if it were me, I'd take the M6 for the Tri-X and the Contax for the colour film. The dSLR is too big and heavy.
 
Frank, you are so right. Photography, like life, is full of compromises, unfortunately.

The Fuji X100 really looks like the camera I should take...but I'm not sure I could budget it and get one by the 21st.
 
And yep, I've thought of that too. In my mind, that introduces two complications...souping Tri-X AND getting slide film developed :( So still contemplating.

I'm actually leaning towards the T3 and slide film.
 
T3, and buy some postcards.
Paris is beautiful and unique, even without looking at it through a viewfinder.
Have a wonderful trip!
Alex
 
Oh, and from my point of view, you are in a quandary not because you have too many options, but because you don't have enough options (which could have included an X-100.) :)
 
Alex, good advice, and I've given it to other people. I can buy a book full of pictures of the monuments. It'll be the experience of strolling and moving about the city that I'm looking forward to.
 
Last response: for me, the experience of strolling through Paris is enhanced with a Leica M.
 
I'd probably take the M6 and Contax. Use the Contax for everyday and the M6 you can take out of the Hotel when you know exactly where you are going and what kind of opportunity you have for shooting.

Of course you didn't mention France. So, if you meant Paris, Texas, I'd take the D700 :D
 
I had the same issues last year. I promised myself that I would take an M6 with a ton of film. I also had other film cameras, compact digicam, and dslrs.

In the end I bought a GF1 (MFT format). It worked out well for me.

Three years ago I overloaded myself with photo gear in Europe, but I did have a really
good time using the rangefinder. You already know about the size/weight of dslr ; I had one of those on my first trip which was versatile and the issue of processing/ scanning film. Yeah, it was a lot of scanning from the relative few rolls I shot.

Good luck on your decision, but most of all have a good trip.
 
one film, one camera, one lens:

Keep it simple, the M6 a 35mm lens if you have one, and Tri-X or TMAX 400

Simple and you won't kill yourself dragging gear around, and you won't waste time in the hotel trying to decide which kit to take outside.
 
I brought a Hexar AF and my Nikon with 28 and 50mm lenses. The entire time I wish I had only brought my Hexar.
 
Paris and rangefinder is a great combo;
Paris and B&W is a great combo;
TRI-X and B&W is a great combo;.....
So My vote is for M6 and TRI-X......... developed by yourself ...
enjoy Paris.
Alberto
 
M6, Tri X and by an 8 roll Paterson tank when you get home. If you don't machine gun everything in sight and apply some quality control before pressing the shutter, you're unlikely to get past one tank full in a 3-4 day trip, or week even.

Even when I am surrounded my subject matter that is not going anywhere (and there is lots of it) a roll or two an hour is about right, so when wandering the streets, a roll or two a day would seem the most you should be shooting unless you are after holiday memories. For that, use a digi compact perhaps?
 
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